CHENNAI-KL TWINING PROPOSAL ON FAST TRACK

By P. Vijian

CHENNAI, Aug 3 (Bernama) -- Top officials from Kuala Lumpur and Chennai
fine-tuned a memorandum of understanding Tuesday, adding a fillip to their
proposed twining as sister cities.

Visiting Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being Minister Raja Nong Chik
Raja Zainal Abidin said the respective mayors would sign the document in Kuala
Lumpur, during the planned visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to
Malaysia in November.

The twining of both Asian cities, he said, augured well for Chennai and
Kuala Lumpur, which shared robust historical ties for decades.

"Both cities are fast growing in Asia and the memorandum of understanding
would foster closer cultural, economic and tourism ties. It would certainly
improve existing relations between both cities," Nong Chik told the media in
Chennai Tuesday.

The minister, who is leading a 20-member delegation, held talks with Tamil
Nadu Deputy Chief Minister M. K. Stalin at the State Secretariat office in the
south Indian capital.

He noted Tamil Nadu and Malaysia enjoyed cordial relations and the
proposed twinning of the cities reflected the commitment to further enhance
two-way diplomatic ties.

"Historically, the people of Tamil Nadu and Malaysia enjoyed closer cultural
links because many of the Tamil population originated from south India.

"With the signing, I expect trade between Chennai and Kuala Lumpur could
further double or triple in the next few years," said Raja Nong Chik.

His deputy, Datuk M. Saravanan, and Kuala Lumpur Mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail
were also part of the delegation to Chennai.
-- BERNAMA


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